According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, on September 12 local time, after a meeting with Vietnam's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and Vietnam's Defense Minister Pan Wenjiang, an extremely important military agreement was reached. According to the agreement, Japan can provide Vietnam with military technology and weapons and equipment. The two said that the signing of the military agreement marks closer cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense and security. Analysts pointed out that this move is an extremely dangerous step forward for Japan and clears obstacles for future foreign arms sales.
As a defeated country in World War II , after the end of World War II , Japan's military development was extremely strict restricted. In 1967, Japan announced the "Three Principles of Weapon Export ", prohibiting Japanese military-industrial enterprises from exporting weapons to socialist countries, countries sanctioned by UN , and countries involved in international military conflicts. In addition, Japan is not allowed to jointly design and produce weapons with countries other than the United States. Through the above policies, Japan's route to export weapons to the outside world was completely blocked. During this period, Japan focused its technological research and development on the civilian field.
However, in recent years, the global arms and equipment trade has been very active. According to statistics from the Stockholm Peace Institute in Sweden, the size of the arms trade market reaches hundreds of billions of dollars each year. Not to mention the traditional weapons and equipment export powers, the United States, Russia, France, etc., even small countries such as Israel and South Korea can earn billions of dollars every year due to the export of weapons and equipment. Such a big cake made Japanese companies very jealous, especially Japanese military-industrial companies such as Mitsubishi and Kawasaki. They strongly demand that Japan officially modify its weapons and equipment export policies and allow foreign arms sales.
As early as 2010, Japan officially issued a new version of the " Defense Plan Outline ", which loosened the "Three Principles of Weapon Export". This move is also regarded as a tentative step taken by Japan's official lifting the ban on arms exports. Subsequently, under the promotion of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's , Japan's restrictions on weapons and equipment exports became increasingly loose. In 2014, Japan planned to export the latest "Canglong"-class conventionally powered submarine to Australia. Although the transaction was not reached, Japan is becoming more and more courageous and its intentions are becoming more and more obvious.
After the new weapon exports were frustrated, Japan provided second-hand equipment to other countries under the guise of aid, such as its assistance to Vietnam's P-3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft . In this way, Japan aims to narrow the defense relations with relevant countries and thus curb its opponents. For example, the military agreement reached with Vietnam this time was obviously for China. In order to fight against China, Japan used various means to win over Southeast Asian countries, and others asked them to restrain China in South China Sea , thereby reducing the pressure from China faced by Japan in East China Sea .
It can be said that Japan's attempt to sell foreign arms is not only driven by arms interests, but also part of Japan's foreign strategy. In addition, it is also inseparable from the acquiescence and support of the United States. In any case, in recent years, Japanese militarism has begun to rise, and Japan has been constantly taking action in the military field, and China must be vigilant about this.
